The aim of this report is to describe the feasibility and tolerability of medical treatment with sacubitril/valsartan in a patient treated with hemodialysis. We describe the case of a 67-year-old man with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction due to an ischemic cardiomyopathy and renal insufficiency undergoing hemodialysis. Because of worsening heart failure with no other therapeutic options, a treatment with sacubitril/valsartan was started. Although this patient had a very low systolic blood pressure, he could tolerate a moderate dose of 49/51 mg twice daily. After initiation of sacubitril/valsartan, there was a symptomatic improvement with a clear reduction NT-proBNP, accompanied by a decrease in filling pressures. In conclusion, in this patient with severe heart failure undergoing hemodialysis, treatment with sacubitril/valsartan was feasible, safe, and improved heart failure symptoms.

Background: AF, anticoagulation, NOACs, changing patterns of prescription. Methods: We describe baseline data and treatment patterns of patients recruited in Belgium in the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF). Recruitment began when novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were introduced and provides a unique picture of changing treatment patterns over time. 1713 patients with a new (≤6 weeks duration) diagnosis of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and at least one investigator-defined stroke risk factor were recruited between May 2012 and August 2016, and will be prospectively followed for at least 2 years. Results: Overall, anticoagulant use in Belgium was higher than in the rest of Europe: 80.1% of patients received an anticoagulant ± antiplatelet (AP) therapy (14.5% on vitamin K antagonists; 65.6% on NOAC), 10.7% AP therapy and 9.3% no antithrombotic therapy. Over time, we observed an increase in anticoagulant use and a decrease in AP use for stroke prevention. NOAC use in Belgium was the highest of Europe at the study start, with many countries catching up later. In high stroke risk patients (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2), anticoagulants were used in 84.3%, leaving 15.7% unprotected. In low risk patients (CHA2DS2-VASc 0-1) anticoagulants were overused (58.7%). Factor Xa inhibitors were used more frequently than direct thrombin inhibitors. Conclusion: Guideline adherence on stroke prevention was higher in Belgium than in the rest of Europe, and increased over time. NOAC use in Belgium was the highest of Europe at the study start, with many countries catching up later. Possible reasons are discussed. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01090362.

Severe COVID-19 may predispose to both venous and arterial thrombosis. We describe a patient with acute ischaemic stroke while suffering from COVID-19 and respiratory failure, necessitating mechanical ventilation. Deep sedation may delay diagnosis.

We report a case of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) triggered by herpes encefalitis in the presence of significant triple vessel coronary artery disease (CAD). The typical ECG abnormalities, moderately elevated cardiac enzymes with disproportionally elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as well as the typical wall motion abnormalities on echocardiography and left ventricular (LV) angiography, were consistent with the diagnosis of TTS with concomitant CAD rather than an acute coronary syndrome. The normalization of the wall motion abnormalities, ejection fraction and longitudinal strain on serial echocardiography all support the diagnosis of takotsubo syndrome, especially in challenging cases.